Goodwin College faculty member Susan Grabowski was among the 82 area nursing professionals selected for the 2018 Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing program, originally developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut as a collaborative effort to celebrate outstanding nurses and elevate the profession.
Grabowski is a full-time clinical nursing instructor in the associate nursing degree program at Goodwin College.
“Susan is one of the most compassionate, dedicated nurses I have ever known,” said Janice Watts, Goodwin
College Nursing department chair, “and I am happy to see her recognized with this prestigious award.
Several years ago, Grabowski learned of the Remote Access Medical Missions (RAM), a major nonprofit provider of mobile medical clinics whose mission is to alleviate suffering by providing free, quality healthcare to those in need. She signed up as a volunteer in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. After a grueling week in the July heat, she returned to Connecticut with a deep dedication to the efforts of this organization, feeling that “my life was changed forever.” She plans to take four of Goodwin students with her on the next mission.
“Her passion to transfer the desire to make a difference in our world is contagious, and the role model that she has become to our students is invaluable,” added Watts.
The goals of the Nightingale Awards program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention, and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level. Employers may nominate registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and nurse practitioners if they are involved in clinical practice, leadership, scholarship, or education. Nominees should have made a significant impact on patient care or the nursing profession; gone “beyond the call” in a clearly illustrated scenario; demonstrated excellence above what is normally expected; shown commitment to the community served in a way that is significantly above the norm; or achieved a life-long legacy in a particular arena.
This year’s celebratory Greater Hartford Nightingale Awards Gala was held at the Connecticut Convention Center on May 10 to recognize Greater Hartford’s exceptional nurses.
Click here to learn more about nursing programs at Goodwin College.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.